St. John Neumann for Kids | The Saint Who Made Room for Everyone
Updated: Oct 18
When John Neumann prepared to become a priest, he received heartbreaking news: there were already too many priests in his homeland, and he could not be ordained. But John did not give up. He crossed the ocean to America, where priests were desperately needed. He traveled muddy roads to serve immigrant families, learned new languages so he could speak with the people he served, and eventually became the Bishop of Philadelphia. As bishop, St. John Neumann became a great champion of Catholic education, helping build a system of parish schools that gave thousands of children a place to learn and grow in their faith. The young man who had once been told there was no room for him spent his life making room for others. This animated Catholic story for children tells the story of St. John Neumann and reminds us that when one door closes, God may be leading us somewhere we never expected. St. John Neumann, pray for us!
After watching, families and catechists can talk about one moment that stood out, what it shows about following Jesus, and one small way to put that lesson into practice this week.
Free YouTube release on: December 28, 2026
Free teaching resources
Use this video at home, in your homeschool, or in parish faith formation. These materials are designed for children approximately ages 7–11, with suggestions for adapting the lesson by readiness. Choose Draw & Tell or Read & Write to suit your child.
Download the complete packet or choose individual pages below. Printable PDFs • US Letter • Black and white.
Complete lesson packet — 4 pages
Leader guide — 2 pages
Draw & Tell handout — 1 page; drawing and oral responses
Read & Write handout — 1 page; written responses
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